A Winter Day on Grouse Mountain

Reviewing some past images this evening, I came across this shot from Grouse Mountain just to the north of Vancouver.  Not sure why this image attracted me today, unless it is the fact I am going to Hawaii tomorrow.  I will be spending Christmas there with my family this year.  I just checked the weather there and the current temperature is +29C.  Bring it on!

Merry Christmas to all my viewers and see you in the new year.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Continuing With the Black and White Theme !!!

Here is an image taken near Page, Arizona which I like very much.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

A Quick Trip to Istanbul

Here is an image of the Hagia Sophia in central Istanbul.  It was taken early evening and I quite like the black and white rendition.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Live well and prosper

Dennis

More Black, White Shades of Grey

Here is an early morning image from Arches National Park in Utah.

Enjoy

Dennis

My Friend the Vervet Monkey

A vervet monkey from Mahale National Park in Tanzania.

Cheers
Dennis

More Black and White

As you know I have been experimenting in the Black and White world lately.  This image is of Cathedral Rock in Arizona and I quite like the look in Black and White.  I hope  you enjoy.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Cheers
Dennis

Penguins Everywhere !!!!

Here is an image from the Falkland Islands, specifically Saunders Island.  It shows 3 separate colonies of Gentoo Penguins.  Enjoy.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Dennis

The Day the World Ends !!!

Here is my rendition of what a thermonuclear explosion of the sun would look like.  I would just as soon not be around when and if it happens.  It is my rendition of what the end of the world might look like.  I am not sure how I achieved this look from what was originally a sunset shot taken in Swakupmondm, Namibia but here it is for your entertainment.

"It is amazing how much is accomplished, when nobody cares who gets the credit".

Cheers
Dennis

Your Room is Ready Sir!!!

Several years ago, a companion and I were travelling in Turkey, and took the opportunity to stay in a "cave hotel" in Cappadoccia, Turkey.  The rooms were literally carved out of the rocky hills and mountains.  The above image is the entrance way to our room.  What an experience!

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

More Black and White

Here is another composite image taken from 2 separate images.  The sky is one and the other is from the sand dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world".

Live well and prosper
Dennis

A View of Hanalei, Kauai

In less than a month, I and my family will be back in our Hawaiian retreat on the island of Kauai.  The above view is of the Hanalei valley and the tarot fields below.  Hanalei is a small town, very quaint and sparsley populated.  It is about a 5 minute drive from our house in Princeville.  Warm breezes and sunshine await us.  We can hardly wait!

Live well and prosper.

Cheers
Dennis

A Portent of Things to Come ???

Here we are in the middle of November and the weather here on the coast is still OK, although predictions for the winter are for cold and snow.  Reviewing some images today I came across one taken in a previous winter which shows what could happen, although I personally hope not.  For me snow belongs on the mountains and not down here in the city.  Here's hoping for our normal rainy winter devoid of snow.  Lucky me gets to spend the Xmas season in Hawaii however.

Caio for now.

Dennis

Artsy Artsy !!

It seems that whenever I feel creative or "artsy", I turn to the field of black and white photography.  I have been experimenting with more dramatic renditions of my color images.  Here is a rendering of Arches National Park in Utah.  Enjoy

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Beyond the Sea !!

A few years ago, I did some images for posters.  In a general review of my images I came across this one which was one of my favourties.  I enclose it today for your enjoyment.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world".

Cheers
Dennis

Can You Believe What You See??

This image appears to be a rather surreal view of the Vancouver waterfront not far from where I live.  In fact the basic image was taken just before sunset and it was much brighter than this.  One day my creativity was again out of control (it does that quite often I find) and I started manipulating with Photoshop.  Some number of layers later, along with adjustment of layer modes and opacity and you see the above.

Live well and prosper

Dennis

A Visit to a Buddhist Temple in Shanghai

In a recent review of some of my images, I came across this image of the roof line of a large Buddhist Temple in Shanghai.  I thought I would post for your enjoyment.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

A Face Like a Rock?????

If anyone ever says "you have a face like a rock", here is proof it is possible.  The above image is of a rock off the coast of Bandon Beach, Oregon.  Appropriately it is called "Face Rock".  So now you know that there is a rock like a face !!!!!

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person, you may be the world"

Cheers
Dennis

Image of a Moving Camera !!

In the early stages of learning about photography, the lesson that is continually taught is "make sure the camera is still" because any movement will not give sharp focus.  I wondered however what happens when you deliberately move the camera during exposure.  I am talking about rather large movement rather than a small shake.  The above image is the result of a 2 second exposure and a large twisting of the camera.  I kind of like the pattern.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

The Prettiest Village in France

A few years ago I had the opportunity to photograph in Monet's Estate in in Giverny, France.  During the week there we journeyed to Geberoy, France which was selected as the "prettiest village" in France.  Here is one of my artistic images from that village.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Our Hawaii Home

Today is October 15th and I wonder where the time goes.  I then realized that I am exactly 2 months from taking my family back to our Hawaii home on Kauai.  It being a slow evening here at work, I started reviewing some of my images and came across this one of the living room, pool table area of our house at Princeville.  The view you see is taken from adjacent the kitchen looking through the living room (edge of the pool table is on the right) to the lanai fronting on the golf course.  Seeing this photo tells me the time cannot move fast enough, at least until departure on December 15.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world"

Live well and prosper

Dennis

Buddha's Garden

Our entry today is Buddha's Garden from the International Buddhist Center in Richmond, BC.

Enjoy!

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Dennis

Coffee Anyone????

Here is an image I took while walking the streets of Lviv, Ukraine.  A typical street scene in a sidewalk cafe.  Looks like fun.  Please pass the vodka!!!!

Live well and prosper.
Dennis

Continuing Artwork

In a continuing series of my "photographic paintings", here is an image of a lighthouse taken in Bandon Beach, Oregon.  Enjoy!

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world".

Cheers
Dennis

A Cityscape of Breidvik, Iceland

It is not often that you can shoot a total cityscape of the whole town that comprises only 2 buildings.  Here is the sum total of  Breidvik, Iceland which includes the church in the foreground and the hotel that we stayed at in the background.  The ever present lupines (purple flowers) add some color to the scene along with my artistic interpretation.

Enjoy and have fun.

Dennis

Now That is Living !!!

A few years ago I took a short cruise on the Bosphorus Strait out of Istanbul Turkey.  On one side of the strait is Europe and the other side is Asia.  While we were enjoying our cruise, I saw this home on the Europe side and the wonderful transportation out front.  I always thought that this was the way to live!

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Cheers
Dennis

Welcome to my Cave !!

Here is the bedroom in my cave hotel in Cappodocia, Turkey.  When I originally booked a room in a cave hotel I was somewhat dubious of what I was getting into.  The rooms are carved out of the limestone in the side of the mountain.  What a wonderful experience.  Doesn't look inviting??

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Eagle Art !!

Doing a review of images here at work, and came across this "artistic rendering" of a bald eagle near Haines, Alaska.  I have always been partial to eagles and on this particular trip I encountered several thousand of them along the banks of the Chilkat River.  The trip was taken in November, so we experienced cold and snow, with some rain and more mild temperatures.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

A Hazy Morning along the Yangtze River

I came across this image of my trip to China and thought I would share it with you all.  This is a shrine along the shores of the Yangtze River between Chongqing and Yichang.  The total trip was 3 days.  Enjoy!

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Live well and prosper.
Dennis

Arches National Park

I have been reviewing some of my  past images and doing some further processing both in color and in black and white.  The above image taken in Arches National Park in Utah last year and I have processed it both in color as you see it above and black and white which appears in my latest book.

Enjoy.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you just may be the world"

Dennis

My Creativity is Out of Control !!!!!

In my continuing sage of reprocessing my images, here is the latest.  This daytime shot, changed into a "dusktime" (not a real word, but I like it) shot of the sand dunes at Sossussvlei, Namibia.  I hope you enjoy.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Capturing the Surreal

The above image was an attempt by me to emphasize and exagerate the surreal feeling that I had while taking images at Deadvlei in Namibia.  The scene was taken in broad daylight, but through the magic of Photoshop I tried to make it like a shot taken by bright moonlight.  This involved duplicating a layer using the subtract overlay at a reduced opacity.  I then used the Gaussian Blur filter and later applied some tonal contrast.  While I am not totally satisfied with the results,  I think they are getting closer to what I was trying to achieve.  Will try more such procedures, stay tuned for further.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may just be the world".

Cheers

Dennis

Shanghai Architecture

Continuing my review of my previously "artsified" images I came across this image that I took in a park just behind the musuem in Shanghai.  I always liked the different lines involved in the architecture and the round shapes of the bushes in the foreground.

Enjoy.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Brunch Near Shanghai

In my continuing review of past images, I came across this one of folks having brunch in a canal side restaurant at the watertown near Shanghai.  For the life of me I can never remember the name of this town but it is very close to Shanghai.  The original image has been "artsified" using my special secret system unknown to the outside world.

Remember "to the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world".

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

In Need Of An Air Traffic Controller !!!!

This is an image I took at the air museum at Boeing Field near Seattle.  These full sized models of aircraft are mounted on the floor or hanging from the ceiling.  As a former pilot and current air traffic controller, it was exciting for me to sit in the cockpit of the SR-71 Blackbird and try to imagine what it would be like travelling in that aircraft at Mach 3.5 or faster.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Old Images Into Artwork

I have been finally reviewing many of my old images and "artsifying" them.  I think I just created a new word!!  When I return from an extended photo shoot, I usually have anywhere from 3000-5000 images.  In the following weeks I quickly review them and process usually only a couple of hundred.  As a result I have a data bank of thousands of images that I haven't seriously reviewed and processed.  As I am "in between" photo shoots right now, I have the chance to revisit some old material.  The above image of a leaf which I processed into art was taken some years ago in Bandon Beach, Oregon.  I like this rendering of it, as I find the colors very relaxing and calming.  More artwork to follow, stay tuned.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world".

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Warp Speed 5 !!!!

The above image reminds me (actually I guess it can't remind me unless I had already experience it) of travelling through space at speeds so large that everything is a blur.  The way this image was achieved was through a long exposure with a zoom lens.  After I "clicked" the shutter on about a 3 or 4 second exposure (using a neutral density filter) I rotated the zoom lens which gave the appearance of the scene (white flowers in this case) travelling by me.  It just reinforces my belief that you cannot always believe what you see, or think you see.  Hmm..............................................................................................................................

Live well and prosper!

Dennis

Excuse Me !!! I Am Trying to Land Here !!!

As part of my continuing education program, our guest today is the famous "Phalacrocorax Atriceps".  This creature is also known more commonly as a King Cormorant, or Imperial Shag.  They are medium sized birds with a length of 28-31 inches and weighs 4-8 lbs.  They are a colonial, monogamous species and the above photo was taken in the Falkland Islands.  They are graceful fliers but very clumsy landers, although landing into thousands of other birds can't be easy.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

More Digital Artwork

I have been experimenting with my new software which allows me to make "paintings" of my photographic images.  I have the opportunity to select the medium such as oil, watercolor. acrylic, or charcoal etc, and also the type of brush and size and texture.  The result of one of my Bandon Beach photos is above.  I continue to experiment and will share more offerings with you in due course.

"People may not remember what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel".

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Photoshop Does it Again

This image is to be filed under the heading: "Don't always believe what you see!".  The image of the sand dune was taken in Sossussvlei in Namibia under a very bland sky with no features at all.  When I processed the original image, I thought that it was OK but hardly a "WOW".  Daytime lightning at the best of times is pure luck (as opposed to lightning at night) and often comes with an unexciting foreground.  So delving a little bit into both worlds I was able to marry the wonderful sky to the large sand dune to produce what I think is a  rather striking image.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world".

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Dinner in Lvov, Ukraine

Several years ago I was on a tour of Ukraine with a group of people (14 of us including my mother whose parents were born there) and we arrived in Lvov in the late afternoon.  Our tour leader had a cousin in Lvov who had invited her to dinner at he and his wife's home.  As the bus pulled into the hotel parking, he was there waiting to greet her, and take her to dinner.  When he saw the 14 of us, he wasted no time in inviting us all for dinner.  He phoned his wife and casually said that there would be another 14 for dinner rather than just the one!!!!  I can't imagine what the reaction was at the other end.  The evening however could not have been better having dinner under the branches of an apple tree in the warm Lvov evening.  The image above is a photograph of our dinner table that evening, although I have adjusted it to look more artsy!!!

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may just be the world."

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Digital Painting!!

In earlier posts I have mentioned that early in my life I always wanted to be able to paint.  As I quickly found that I did not have the talent, or that it would take more effort and work than I was prepared to give at that time, I turned to photography .  Now I am starting to straddle the line between photography and painting.  The above image is such an example.  While it started out as a photograph taken in Turkey in a cave that was remodelled into a pottery factory, to become what you see as an oil painting "look a like".  The software available these days is quite remarkable in that I can select the size and type of brush, the type of medium, the brush stroke size and any number of variable to make images look like paintings.  I plan to print this image on canvas of 24 x 36.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may just be the world".

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

How Dry It Is!!!!

It has been very dry lately in most of the world.  In my province of BC hundreds of forest fires are burning now, and in Russia, hundreds have died in forest fires.  It reminded me of my time on the Serengeti Plain in Tanzania.  The above image was taken during a particularly dry spell and the zebras were fleeing an earlier lion attack, which was unsuccessful.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may just be the world".

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Meet My Hawaiian Alarm Clock

As I have been reviewing previous images by the thousands, I came across the photo of this fellow who also functions as my wake up call while in Hawaii.  He takes it upon himself to make sure I don't sleep in beyond the 0600 hour.  Shortly after awaking to his call, my grandson knocks on my door to make sure I don't go back to sleep.  So much for being lazy in Hawaii.  I will look forward to renewing a friendship with my buddy when my family returns to Hawaii on December 15th.  I must consult with my grandson and give the rooster a name.

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you just may be the world!"

Cheers
Dennis

The Fiery Heart of a Lily

I have often said that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. I find that personally very empowering. The image is an extreme closeup of a lily taken at the Monet Estate in Giverney France. I always loved this abstract as it reminded me of intense flames emanating from a star or large sun. I think this is much more interesting and thought provoking than a simple image taken of a flower.

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

What is Reality???

I have posted two images here, and both are very different renditions of the same image. It always amazes me that an image taken with a camera which should be what the camera "sees" and in fact "reality" is not always the case. In fact the images you see are were taken with the same click of the camera shutter. Obviously the image on the left is more dreamy and romantic if you will, while the image on the right is much more lively, energetic and impactful. So is there any conclusion that can be drawn from this paradox? To me it says several things. You cannot trust what you see as the "truth" or "reality", beauty or lack of it is in the eyes of the beholder, and possibly "truth" or "reality" is different to different people. So if I can create "reality" in different forms using Photoshop or some other editing software with these images, is it such a far "reach" to assume I can create my own reality with the software in my head aka "my brain"? And if such is the case, and I come to the realization that I can create my own reality, isn't that the ultimate freedom? If I do not like the reality I am currently experiencing, all I need do is change it using the ultimate software in my brain and its ability to visualize and thereby create another reality? Fascinating Stuff Eh???

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

Hillside Farming in China

My daughter and my grandson have a garden plot in downtown Vancouver which they faithfully tend to almost daily. Although their plot is quite level, it reminded me of seeing people along the Yangtze River tending to plots on the side of a hill. I took a boat cruise from Chongqing to Yichang which was a journey of 3 days. I always remembered the steepness of the hill these "farmers" were working, and wondered how the plants felt about growing up sideways:-)

Live well and prosper

Dennis

An Iceland Waterfall

As you know, lately I have been revisiting some of the images I have taken over the years. This evening I came across this waterfall scene that I took in Iceland several years ago. The actual photo is not as vivid and saturated as the above. I wanted to make a bold statement and needed an image that was more "painting" than photo. The above is the result. Enjoy the image and the summer weather.

Live well and prosper.
Dennis

The Eurasian Oystercatcher

Every so often as the mood strikes me (or I am bored at work:-)) I review some of the images that I have taken in the past. The above image is of an Oystercatcher taken on Flatey Island in Iceland. The Oystercatcher or Haematopus Ostralagus are obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with black and white plumage, red legs and strong broad red bills used for smashing and prying open mollusks such as mussels, or finding earthworms. Despite its name, oysters do not form a significant part of its diet.

Thought you would like to know, just in case you are a contestant on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader??

Live well and prosper.

Dennis

More Creative Ideas Than Time

As my readers know by now, I have been experimenting by making my images into "works of art" and simulating paintings. As the above image shows I have taken that even further. The images of the butterflies was taken from previously alive butterflies, and the image of the dinosaur is from a photo of a small plastic toy. As I was composing this image I thought of my grandson and how he might be interested in a book on dinosaurs of different types. I thought it would be relatively easy for me to compose images using my photos as artwork and then telling a story that kids may enjoy reading.

This became a new project for me. I now only have about 6 projects on the go. I either have to learn to prioritize my activities or find more time to work on the ideas my sometimes overactive imagination comes up with. And always remember that a preposition is a word you should never end a sentence "with".

Live well and prosper

Dennis